Ark. Board: $63M In New Higher Ed Funding Needed

A state board recommended $63 million in new funding for Arkansas’ public colleges and universities on Friday, while acknowledging that they’re unlikely to receive it in next year’s budget after Gov. Mike Beebe warned there was no new money for most agencies.

The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board said the request included in its recommendation would fund only 75 percent of the needs campuses say they have for the budget year that begins July 1. The panel approved the recommendation as the Legislature prepares for its fiscal session in February.

Shane Broadway, interim director of the state Department of Higher Education, said it was unlikely that the recommendations would be funded because of the economy and a tight state budget.

“Certainly, you would like that new funding, but not having a cut is still pretty good,’’ Broadway said.